Jacksonville Jaguar players show their protest during the National Anthem during the NFL International Series match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on September 24, 2017 in London, England. less

Jacksonville Jaguar players show their protest during the National Anthem during the NFL International Series match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on September 24, 2017 in ... more

Photo: Matthew Lewis, Getty Images

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Jacksonville Jaguars players lock arms and kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Tim Ireland) less

Jacksonville Jaguars players lock arms and kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. ... more

Photo: Tim Ireland, Associated Press

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LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Jacksonville Jaguar players show their protest during the National Anthem during the NFL International Series match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on September 24, 2017 in London, England. less

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Jacksonville Jaguar players show their protest during the National Anthem during the NFL International Series match between Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley ... more

Photo: Matthew Lewis, Getty Images

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Baltimore Ravens players, including former player Ray Lewis, second from right, kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley Stadium in London, Sunday Sept. 24, 2017. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) less

Baltimore Ravens players, including former player Ray Lewis, second from right, kneel down during the playing of the U.S. national anthem before an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Wembley ... more

Photo: Matt Dunham, Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Photo: Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick (7) stands on the sidelines against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 37-18. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) less

San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick (7) stands on the sidelines against the Seattle Seahawks in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 37-18. (AP ... more

Photo: John Froschauer, Associated Press

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A photo illustration of a photo by Michael Zagaris of Colin Kaepernick is on this week's Time Magazine.

A photo illustration of a photo by Michael Zagaris of Colin Kaepernick is on this week's Time Magazine.

Photo: Time Magazine

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San Francisco 49ers Eli Harold (58), Colin Kaepernick (7) and Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less

San Francisco 49ers Eli Harold (58), Colin Kaepernick (7) and Eric Reid (35) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP ... more

Photo: Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up prior to the team's game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS) less

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms up prior to the team's game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte ... more

Photo: Jeff Siner, TNS

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SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks with defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks after the game at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle,Washington. The Seahawks won the game 37-18. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) less

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers speaks with defensive end Michael Bennett #72 of the Seattle Seahawks after the game at CenturyLink Field on September 25, ... more

Photo: Steve Dykes, Getty Images

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Quarterback Colin Kaepernick stretches with teammates at the 49ers practice facility in Santa Clara, Calif. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 while the San Francisco 49ers prepare for this weekend's game against the Seattle Seahawks. less

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick stretches with teammates at the 49ers practice facility in Santa Clara, Calif. on Thursday, Sept. 22, 2016 while the San Francisco 49ers prepare for this weekend's game against the ... more

Photo: Paul Chinn, The Chronicle

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San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Photo: Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

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A San Francisco 49ers fan holds up a Colin Kaepernick jersey in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

A San Francisco 49ers fan holds up a Colin Kaepernick jersey in the first half of an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Photo: Bob Leverone, Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick (7) and Aaron Burbridge (13) walk toward the field before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

San Francisco 49ers' Colin Kaepernick (7) and Aaron Burbridge (13) walk toward the field before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Photo: Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms-up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick warms-up before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Photo: Ted S. Warren, Associated Press

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SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) fFee safety Eric Reid #35, quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 and outside linebacker Eli Harold #58 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel on the sidelines during the national anthem before the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle,Washington. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images) less

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: (L-R) fFee safety Eric Reid #35, quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 and outside linebacker Eli Harold #58 of the San Francisco 49ers kneel on the sidelines during the national anthem ... more

Photo: Steve Dykes, Getty Images

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SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Colin Kaepernick #7 and members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) less

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Colin Kaepernick #7 and members of the San Francisco 49ers kneel during the national anthem prior to the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

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SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 37-18. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) less

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 25: Quarterback Colin Kaepernick #7 of the San Francisco 49ers walks off the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field on September 25, 2016 in Seattle, ... more

Photo: Otto Greule Jr, Getty Images

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FILE - Int his Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams in Santa Clara, Calif. The dozen NFL players who have joined Kaepernicks protest of social injustices by kneeling or raising a fist during the national anthem have faced vitriolic, sometimes racist reactions on social media and at least one has lost endorsements. None are deterred by the backlash. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) less

FILE - Int his Monday, Sept. 12, 2016, file photo, San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) and quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneel during the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Los ... more

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

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San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) kneels during the national anthem in front of teammates before an NFL football game between the 49ers and the Carolina Panthers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) less

San Francisco 49ers safety Eric Reid (35) kneels during the national anthem in front of teammates before an NFL football game between the 49ers and the Carolina Panthers in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. ... more

File-This Sept. 21, 2016, file photo shows, Phoenix Mercury's Kelsey Bone, right, and Mistie Bass, second from right, kneeling during the playing of the national anthem before the start of a first round WNBA playoff basketball game a in Indianapolis. Bass, Bone and their Mercury teammates met with Phoenix police a few weeks ago after practice. It was a very eye-opening experience. "That was such a great opportunity for us to ask some great questions. I don't think the system that is in place in Phoenix is the system in place everywhere," Bass said after practice in New York on Friday as Phoenix prepared for the second round of the playoffs. "To see a model that is so crystal clear and to talk about their training and how much training they get." (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File) less

File-This Sept. 21, 2016, file photo shows, Phoenix Mercury's Kelsey Bone, right, and Mistie Bass, second from right, kneeling during the playing of the national anthem before the start of a first round WNBA ... more

Michigan football players raise their fists up in protest during the National Anthem, before an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Junfu Han/The Ann Arbor News via AP) less

Michigan football players raise their fists up in protest during the National Anthem, before an NCAA college football game against Penn State, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (Junfu Han/The Ann ... more

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016, file photo, from left, Miami Dolphins' Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills kneel during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle. Miami Dolphins safety Michael Thomas and linebacker Jelani Jenkins say they received death threats through social media following their national anthem protest, but remain committed to push for better race relations, which is why they helped organize a town hall with police and youth leaders. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear, File)

FILE - In this Sept. 11, 2016, file photo, from left, Miami Dolphins' Jelani Jenkins, Arian Foster, Michael Thomas, and Kenny Stills kneel during the singing of the national anthem before an NFL football game

SOMERSET, N.J. - As President Donald Trump called for NFL owners to suspend or fire players who protested the national anthem, players and coaches answered defiantly Sunday morning, with most members of the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars either standing with their arms locked in solidarity or taking a knee on the field.

Ravens Coach John Harbaugh joined his players, locking arms, and Jaguars owner Shahid Khan, a Pakistani-American billionaire and businessman, joined his players before the game's kickoff at 9:30 a.m. in London's Wembley Stadium. Ravens Hall of Famer Ray Lewis also took a knee during the anthem.

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The executive director of the NFL players union has a message for President Trump, "We will never back down." This statement comes after the President suggested owners should fire players who kneel during the national anthem.

Media: Buzz60

The show of defiance comes hours after Trump on Sunday morning renewed his demand that NFL owners fire or suspend players who kneel during the national anthem in protest, again urging that fans should boycott the sport to force change.

"If NFL fans refuse to go to games until players stop disrespecting our Flag & Country, you will see change take place fast," Trump wrote. "Fire or suspend!"

"NFL attendance and ratings are WAY DOWN," he continued in a second tweet. "Boring games yes, but many stay away because they love our country. League should back U.S."

But as players across the country went to their knees before games as other team mates and coaches locked hands in solidarity on Sunday afternoon, Trump tweeted is own interpretation of the protest, calling it "great solidarity for our national anthem."

The tweets continue a three-day crusade by the president to pressure the league to fire players who have taken a knee to protest police violence against minorities. Trump has poured fuel on the flame of a simmering culture war and has further pushed sports deep into the political arena.

Among players, coaches and team owners, the public reaction has been sharply negative of his comments.

Even a close friend, New England Patriots CEO and Chairman Robert Kraft, who donated $1 million to Trump's inauguration, issued a sharply worded statement Sunday morning that condemned his comments and supported the right of players to peacefully protest "in a manner that they feel is most impactful."

"I am deeply disappointed by the tone of the comments made by the President on Friday," Kraft said. "I am proud to be associated with so many players who make such tremendous contributions in positively impacting our communities.

"Their efforts, both on and off the field, help bring people together and make our community stronger," he added. "There is no greater unifier in this country than sports and, unfortunately, nothing more divisive than politics.

"I think our political leaders could learn a lot from the lessons of teamwork and the importance of working together toward a common goal," Kraft continued. "Our players are intelligent, thoughtful and care deeply about our community and I support their right to peacefully affect social change and raise awareness in a manner that they feel is most impactful."

Patriots players have not protested during the anthem, and two of the team's most prominent members - Coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady - also have had ties to the president.

Trump read a supportive letter from Belichick during a campaign rally, and Brady, while calling Trump a good friend and golfing buddy, has stopped short of saying that he voted for the president. His wife, supermodel Gisele Bündchen, was more definitive, saying, "NO!" when asked by an Instagram user whether she supported Trump.

Belichick and Kraft were among Patriots players who celebrated the team's Super Bowl victory with a visit to the White House. Brady cited family plans as the reason he stayed away. During that visit, Kraft gave Trump a Super Bowl ring.

Trump has been animated by this issue for more than a year, telling his supporters at a campaign rally in October 2016 that San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who was the first player to kneel in protest, was partly responsible for the drop in ratings.

"The NFL is way down in their ratings, two reasons, No. 1 is this politics they're finding is a much rougher game than football and more exciting," Trump said. "And the other reason is Kaepernick."

NFL teams have been accused of blacklisting Kaepernick, who is now a free agent.

Trump seemed to suddenly fixate on the issue again during a rally in Alabama on Friday night, in which he suggested that coaches should get the "son of a b----" players off the field if they continued to kneel. The comments prompted swift backlash from players, the league and coaches, many of whom condemned Trump's comments.

On Saturday, the president didn't back down, however. He continued to tweet his call for the league to discipline players for showing "total disrespect" for the country.

"If a player wants the privilege of making millions of dollars in the NFL, or other leagues, he or she should not be allowed to disrespect our Great American Flag (or Country) and should stand for the National Anthem," Trump said on Saturday. "If not, YOU'RE FIRED. Find something else to do!"

On ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin forcefully defended Trump's comments about NFL players demonstrating during the national anthem, saying that NFL owners should vote on new rules prohibiting the practice.

"This is about respect for the military, the first responders," he said. Mnuchin also declined to criticize the coarse language Trump used, saying, "I think the president can use whatever language he wants to use."

Of the players, Mnuchin said: "They have the right to have their First Amendment off the field. This is a job."

Another White House official, Director of Legislative Affairs Marc Short, said on NBC News's "Meet the Press" that Trump is standing with the "vast majority" of Americans who believe the flag "should be respected."

He added that Trump plans to take more action on improving race relations.

"The president believes it is his role to improve race relations," Short said.

But Republican lawmakers were less enthusiastic about the president's strategy for expressing his disagreement with players.

Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colo., said on Sunday that the president should be focused on other issues like the North Korean crisis and the debate over health care.

"When it comes to this recent spat with the NFL, look, there are far more important things that we ought to be focusing on," Gardner said on CBS' "Face the Nation."

On NBC's "Meet the Press," Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., agreed that if he were president he would "probably would not get involved in this" even though he believes Americans should stand for the national anthem.

As this week's games kicked off Sunday, more players were expected to take a knee in protest after Trump's comments.

But as the president continued his campaign against protesting NFL players, his comments reverberated across other sports, including baseball and basketball.

After Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry, who had indicated that he would not go to the White House if invited by Trump, the president preemptively disinvited the team in a tweet on Saturday morning.

"Going to the White House is considered a great honor for a championship team. Stephen Curry is hesitating, therefore invitation is withdrawn!" Trump said.

On Sunday afternoon, Trump tweeted an announcement that Stanley Cup Champions the Pittsburgh Penguins would accept an invitation to come to the White House.

Other players including Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James and former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant sharply criticized Trump. Saturday, Oakland Athletics catcher Bruce Maxwell became the first MLB player to kneel during the national anthem.

The Oakland Raiders offensive linemen, the only entirely African-American offensive line unit in the league, intend to kneel or sit during the anthem preceding the nationally televised "Sunday Night Football" game against the Washington Redskins on NBC.